He’s piled up playing time since 2010, but backup has shone, too

FRISCO — Since being drafted fifth overall in the 2010 MLS Super Draft, Zach
Loyd has appeared in 110 games for FC Dallas, mostly at right back. Since 2010,
the durable defender has played more minutes than all but one FCD player, left
back Jair Benitez.

However, earlier this year all those accumulated minutes caught up with Loyd
as the 26-year-old battled a groin injury and, more recently, a knee issue. And
with his rookie contract expiring at the end of the year, he’s wondering whether
he will return in 2014.

“Yeah, it’s definitely always in the back of your mind. I can’t control any
of that. I play. This club knows what I can do. They know what kind of person I
am. So hopefully going into off-season negotiations will start, and hopefully
when can come to an agreement on something,” Loyd said. “We’ve still got one
more game, so I’m going to keep my focus on that.”

Plano native Kellyn Acosta, 18, has emerged at right back in the 12 games
he’s appeared in, leading many to wonder if Loyd will even be offered a new
contract. Of course, he’d like to remain in Dallas next year, but knows it’s not
his decision.

“Yeah, I really enjoy this club. I enjoy the people. The facilities are
great. My teammates are great. I’d love to come back, but we’ll see what happens
in the off-season,” Loyd said.

Rave
reviews for Luccin: Peter Luccin made his first start for FCD in
Saturday’s 2-0 win over Seattle. The 34-year-old holding midfielder was one of
Dallas’ marquee off-season additions before preseason knee surgery sidelined
him. However, he returned in September played 80 minutes Saturday.

“He organized the team. He was also a link from our defense to the midfield,”
Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. “He always found a way to be free, and that
shows maturity and the level of player that he is. And by him getting free, our
defenders didn’t have to kick the ball away.”

Ferreira,
Jackson fined: Dallas captain David Ferreira and midfielder Jackson
Goncalves were each fined an undisclosed amount by the MLS Disciplinary
Committee for “unprofessional conduct detrimental to the image of the League”
per a Wednesday news release.

Ferreira and Jackson got into an altercation at halftime of Saturday’s game,
and Hyndman said that confrontation spilled over into the locker room, leading
the outgoing Dallas coach to take Jackson out of the game for Blas Perez to
begin the second half.

To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.